How to find a slab leak?

Common clues include unexplained puddles, warm spots on floors, sudden low water pressure, musty odors, or a spike in water/energy bills. Pros confirm with non-invasive tools such as acoustic listening, thermal imaging, tracer gas, and line pressure tests to locate the exact pipe and leak point under the slab.

Slab Leak How to Fix vs. Replace?

If a single, accessible section is leaking and the rest of the line is sound, a localized spot repair is cost-effective. If pipes are old, corroded, or multiple leaks are present, rerouting or repiping prevents repeat problems and can reduce long-term costs. A professional inspection will recommend the best option for your home.

Slab Leak Near Me: How to Find, Fix, and Repair a Slab Leak

Q: How to fix a slab leak?

Licensed plumbers fix slab leaks by first pinpointing the source with acoustic/electronic leak detection, then choosing the best method: spot repair through a small opening in the slab, rerouting a new line to bypass the damaged section, or whole-home repiping for aging systems. DIY attempts can worsen damage. If you’re searching “Slab Leak Near Me” in Greater Austin, call The Plumbinator at 512-786-1771.

Q: What is slab leak repair?

Slab leak repair is the targeted fixing of water line leaks that occur beneath a home’s concrete foundation. Depending on pipe condition and access, repairs may involve opening a small section of slab to replace the bad pipe, rerouting new piping through walls/ceilings, or repiping larger sections to prevent recurring failures.

Q: Can a slab leak be fixed?

Yes. With proper detection and the right repair method—spot repair, reroute, or repipe—slab leaks can be resolved effectively and permanently. Acting quickly limits structural damage and mold growth. For fast, precise slab leak repair in Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, Cedar Park, or Pflugerville, contact The Plumbinator at 512-786-1771.

Wendy W
Aug 17
4 min read

Oh no! You just went to grab a soda from the fridge and splashed through a huge puddle on the way. Why is your home turning into a swimming pool?? It might be a slab leak.

Our Master Plumber in black T-shirt sits on chair, looking at cracked, wet concrete. Text reads, "We found this slab leak with our high tech equipment!" — Our Master Plumber will find and fix any leak.

Slab leaks can wreak havoc on your home and your wallet! Not only will your house be underwater, but you'll also be paying for this privilege through increased bills. The water pipes for your home run through the concrete foundation, and as they get old and corrode—or the house settles into its foundation—pipes may spring leaks or break. The older your home is, the more likely it is you’ll face a slab leak.

Many homeowners ask: “How to fix slab leak?” “How to find slab leak?” and “Can a slab leak be fixed?” Let’s break down the signs you should watch for and what slab leak repair really involves.

Six Signs you may have a slab leak

1) There's a Puddle on the Floor, Inside or Outside

The most common sign of a slab leak is a puddle on the floor that grows larger over time as water bubbles up from underneath. You’ll often find the puddle near plumbing-heavy rooms like bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry areas.

What to do: Look around carefully to make sure the leak isn’t coming from an appliance. If you can’t find the source, call a plumber right away and mention you suspect a slab leak.

Water pooling on a light concrete floor near a wall, with a red arrow pointing to the source. Text reads: "Check for water from underneath your home." — Make sure to move boxes in closets and feel under them with your feet for wetness.

2) Sky High Water or

Heating Bills

You open your water bill and your jaw drops. How could you have used so much water? If there is no obvious reason your bill is sky high, and the change is sudden, you might have a slab leak on your hands.

A little-known sign of a leak is a high heating bill. Having a hot water leak in your slab is the same as leaving your hot water running around the clock, which means your hot water heater is also running 24/7, using a ton of electricity or gas.

A hallway with gray carpet features a large dark water stain on the floor. White walls and a wooden door are visible in the background. — Look up at the ceilings too.

3) Warped Wood Floors or Damp Carpet

Water bubbling up from a slab leak accumulates and often comes up under your carpeting or wood floors. Keep an eye out for warped wood flooring or dark and/or damp areas on your carpet.

4) Your Hardwood or Tile Floor is Suddenly Hot

Did you recently install heated floors? No? Well then why are your floors suddenly so nice and toasty? If you read #2 above, then you know why. You've got a hot-side slab leak that is running 24/7 and heating up your floors from below. Unfortunately, those nice warm floors are costing you a bundle to heat all that water!

If you have carpeting, you probably won't detect the hot spot right away. If you have pets, you may notice them lying in a certain spot repeatedly on cool days, so check the floor there to see if its warmer than surrounding areas.

5) Low Water Pressure

With so much water flowing out of leaks or breaks in the pipes, that leaves less water to travel to your fixtures, resulting in sudden low water pressure. If you're not using water at the same time anywhere else in the house, like the washing machine or the shower, you could have a slab leak that's "stealing" your water pressure.

Moldy wall corner with black patches on white walls and beige carpet, creating a damp, deteriorating atmosphere. — Always keep an eye out around your home for mold

6) Bad or Musty Smells

If water from a slab leak bubbles up under your carpet, mold and mildew growth will soon follow. If the leak wicks up into the drywall, you could also develop mold in your walls. While these types of mold growth are usually not visible, you will definitely start to smell them! So if areas of your house suddenly smell musty, check this list for other signs of a slab leak. Mold is not good for your health or the health of your house.

What Is Slab Leak Repair?

Slab leak repair is the process of locating and fixing leaks in the water lines that run beneath your home’s concrete foundation. At The Plumbinator, we use specialized listening and sniffing equipment to pinpoint the exact source of the leak—so we don’t have to dig up your entire floor or yard.

Depending on the severity, repair methods may include:

Spot repair: Jackhammering a small section of slab to repair or replace the damaged pipe.
Rerouting: Running new piping through walls or ceilings to bypass the damaged section.
Repiping: For older homes with failing systems, replacing all the lines may be more cost-effective.

And yes—slab leaks can be fixed!

How to Fix a Slab Leak (The Right Way)

While DIY tutorials exist online, slab leak repair is not a job for homeowners. It requires advanced tools and experience to avoid damaging your home further. If you’re searching “slab leak near me” because you think you have one, the best step is to call a licensed plumber immediately.

Our Master Plumber in a "The Plumbinator" shirt works in garden using orange leak location equipment. Sunny day, surrounded by greenery and a wooden fence. — We will find your leak, wherever it hides

Don’t Wait—Call the Leak Specialists

If you think you have a slab leak or yard leak in Georgetown, Round Rock, Austin, Hutto, Cedar Park, or Pflugerville, call The Plumbinator at 512-786-1771.

Call The Plumbinator

512-786-1771